….A couple of hours earlier….After completing his bath and preparing to attire himself for the Ball, Zale's phone abruptly began to ring. At first, he disregarded the call and proceeded with his dressing routine, but the persistent calls continued relentlessly. Faced with the increasing annoyance, he had no option but to answer the call.A hint of surprise etched across his face when he checked the caller's ID."Why on earth is she calling me at this hour? It's after working hours, isn't it?" Zale grumbled to himself, slightly irritated.Despite his annoyance, Zale chose to answer the call, thinking, "I hope whatever she's calling for is important."With a swipe to the right, the call connected."Why are you contacting me by this time, Carolyn?" Zale cut to the chase without wasting time. He spared no time for pleasantries."I apologize for intruding, sir. The matter is rather pressing, prompting my call," Carolyn sincerely offered her apology."Go on, I'm listening," Zale urged, hi
Ace recognized the young man among the VIP guests; he was none other than Asper. Having done several investigations on the young man, a glance was enough to recognize him.Zale, who hadn't seen Apser's face before, was still obnoxious. Albeit, he had the feeling that the young man wasn't an ordinary individual."He is here," Ace said out of the blue, turning to Zale's direction."I know. Senator Nicholas is a popular figure; I recognize his face," Zale remarked without looking at Ace, assuming that the latter was referring to the senator.But Ace shook his head and said, "Yes, the senator is here, but he is not the one I'm talking about. Asper is here."It was at this point Zale looked at Ace. "Asper? Is he here?"Ace nodded. "The young man among the VIP guests; that's Asper." He disclosed.Zale shifted his gaze to the supposedly young man after he heard that.For some reason, he wasn't the least bit surprised. The second his eyes met the young man, he could already tell the young ma
The atmosphere in the ballroom heightened with tension as Zale processed Maya extending her hand to Asper, leaving him seething with rage. The music seemed to fade into the background as the unfolding drama took center stage.Ace, noticing Zale's reaction, couldn't resist a sly remark. "Looks like Maya has her own plans for the evening."Zale shot Ace a sharp look before muttering through gritted teeth, "This isn't part of the plan; stop talking rubbish. Maya is not supposed to be involved.”Leia, observing the scene, leaned in to Ace and whispered, "Trouble in paradise, huh?"Ace simply nodded, acknowledging the brewing conflict.Meanwhile, Maya and Asper gracefully joined the dance floor, capturing the attention of onlookers. The chemistry between them was undeniable, leaving Zale to grapple with a mix of jealousy and anger.Leia, ever observant, remarked, "Seems like Maya has a talent for stirring up trouble."Ace, maintaining his calm demeanor, replied, "Or perhaps she was force
Senator Nicholas, caught off guard by Zale's revelation, struggled to maintain his composure. The ballroom seemed to grow quieter as the weight of the accusation hung in the air.Zale continued with a sly smile, "I know the truth, and I might not let you continue your corrupt ways. There is no doubt that if this goes public, not only will your son be charged with rape, but you will also face murder charges. I’m sure you wouldn't want that.”Senator Nicholas, now visibly shaken, stammered with a voice barely above a whisper, "You have no proof. These are baseless allegations."Zale chuckled before he responded, "I don't need proof. I have witnesses. It’s all thanks to your men for being careless; they didn't make sure the assemblywoman died. But besides that, I have hardcore evidence showing what your son did and what he has done to many others. If you still doubt me, I don't mind putting it out on the projector for everyone in this ballroom to see. Perhaps that way you will start get
As Zale rejoined the ballroom, his demeanor remained composed, concealing the intricate web of manipulation he had just woven. The music, laughter, and clinking glasses seemed to mock the gravity of the clandestine negotiation that had transpired moments ago.Senator Nicholas, left in the secluded space, grappled with the weight of the agreement he had entered. He couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that he had just made a grave mistake.Meanwhile, Zale made his way through the crowd of guests, his eyes scanning the room for one person—Maya.Finding her engaged in conversation across the room, he made his way toward her with purpose.Upon seeing Zale approaching, a bright smile appeared on Maya's face. She quickly concluded her conversation and turned to Zale.She greeted him with a smile. "Where have you been, darling? The party is in full swing."Zale reciprocated the smile, though the warmth didn't quite reach his eyes. "I had to attend to some business, but I'm back now. Let's
As the laughter subsided, Zale, still reveling in the thrill of his strategic move, gave Leia a thumb-up."You have a sharp eye, Leia. I like that," he commended, a hint of approval in his voice.Leia, pleased with the acknowledgment, nodded. "Thank you, sir. I'm here to assist in any way I can."Zale's gaze shifted to Ace, who seemed a bit exasperated. "And you, Ace, don't worry too much. It's all part of the game. Embrace the chaos."Ace sighed again, resigning himself to the unpredictable nature of his job.Meanwhile, across the room, Maya had managed to compose herself after the public display of affection. Simultaneously, the guests redirected their attention elsewhere, ceasing to look in her direction.Left in the midst of the stares after Zale departed, she felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment, almost wishing for the ground to open up and swallow her whole.Fortunately, as the guests noticed there was no further spectacle, their interest waned, allowing Maya to escape th
… A few minutes earlier…The whole time Maya was with her parents, Zale had his eyes on them.Although he was far away and couldn't quite understand what they were discussing, he could make out what was going on over there by merely seeing the expression on their faces.He knew Maya's parents would be against their relationship, but he never expected them to be this aggravated about it.A vein was almost popping on Maya’s mother's head as she admonished her daughter.Zale let out a sigh and muttered to himself, “Well, I don't care whether they accept or not. The moment I confirm my feelings about her, I will make her my wife. And I will personally see to it that they give us their blessings. Blessings from parents are very important, we definitely can't miss it.”Ace had already left to take care of the photos taken by the guests during Zale's intimate moment with Maya. Therefore, the only person left at the table besides Zale was Leia, and he heard everything Zale said.“I will suppo
Zale extended a hand toward Asper, a friendly, yet mocking smirk on his face. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Asper. Maya has mentioned you before." His tone was polite, but a subtle undercurrent of mockery lingered.Asper reciprocated the handshake, his smile unwavering. He was playing along. "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Zale. Maya and I were just discussing the possibility of hanging out sometime." He maintained eye contact, seemingly unfazed by the situation. This young man was truly shameless. Even in the presence of Zale, he was still talking about hanging out with Maya. Such shamelessness was unforgivable!Maya interjected with a quick glance at Zale, her eyes silently pleading for understanding. "Actually, Darling, Mr. Asper was just being friendly. We didn't finalize any plans."Zale's gaze remained fixed on Asper for a moment longer before he nodded, a calculating look in his eyes. The smile on his face hadn't faded one bit. "Of course, Maya. I understand. And I'm sure Mr. Asper unders
As Zale and Ace ventured beyond the gate, the air hung heavy with tension. They arrived in front of the mansion, which was guarded by three security guards.The guards were slightly taken aback when they saw Zale and Ace.Their comrades at the gate hadn't informed them of the arrival of any guest, so they were confused.They didn't have the slightest idea of the fight that had taken place outside; they were completely oblivious.The guard, who appeared to the leader, stepped forward and asked, “Who might you be, sirs?” His voice was polite and respectful.He thought that if his companion had allowed Zale and Ace entry, it meant they were esteemed guests of honor.Ace glanced at Zale and upon seeing the hidden smirk on his face, he understood what was going to happen.“We are honorable guests of your boss. Should you really be standing here asking questions or just step out of the way?” Zale asked, his voice stern.The guard shivered slightly when he felt Zale's gaze on him. “I…I’m so
The guard's eyes widened in shock, his expression transforming into a lethal glare directed at Zale."Who the hell are you, you bastard?" Despite his astonishment, fury seethed in his voice.Zale chuckled softly before responding, "I'm just someone who wishes to see your boss. We can avoid all of this if you tell your colleagues to let me in."The guard's eyes ignited with rage as he retorted, "Bullshit! If you don't want to leave peacefully, I will make you leave myself."The tension escalated, drawing the attention of the other guards who became alert to the hostility emanating from Zale.They stood ready, poised to open fire at a moment's notice if the need arose.Ace moved in closer to Zale and whispered in his ear, "I don't know what you're trying to do, but these guys are well-armed. I trust your decisions, but I must admit we are clearly at a disadvantage here. The shadow guards are nearby. I can send them a message, and they will take out these guys."Zale nodded, seemingly in
In the aftermath of the charged meeting, Zale and Ace headed outside the building, toward the mansion.Zale's mind swirled with a mixture of determination and uncertainty, while Ace, ever stoic, maintained a vigilant presence.As they arrived in front of the mansion, Zale’s phone vibrated in his pocket. It was his grandfather."Zale," Oracle's voice resonated. For the first time in a long time, he called Zale by his name. "I've been monitoring the meeting. Bane's words have validity. Are you certain about this path you're taking?"Zale, undeterred, responded, "I've made my choice, Grandpa. This is a battle I must face, not just for myself, but for those who've suffered unjustly."The last part was talking about Oracle. The old man had gone through a series of emotional breakdowns after his son and his daughter-in-law died. It was one hell of a torture at that time.Oracle let out a sigh, a blend of regret and understanding in his simulated eyes. "I cannot dissuade you, but remember th
The following day, Zale gathered his closest allies in a private meeting. The meeting took place in one of the buildings in Oracle's estate.The atmosphere was charged with tension as he addressed them, laying out the challenges they faced and the imminent battle against Asper.A middle-aged man interjected, "I don't harbor personal grudges against Asper, but I'm willing to assist you."Another guest joined the conversation, expressing disdain, "That kid is a rude brat. I recall the first day he invited me to his place. He subjected me to the worst humiliation of my life. I can never forget that day. Count me in; I'm ready to join and bring him down.”"While I don't hold a personal grudge against Asper, many of his allies are my enemies. Participating in this battle, I aim to indirectly confront my enemies.” Gradually, each person in the room consented to join the battle.Zale sat at the table's forefront, wearing a smile.Once he explained the purpose of the gathering, he observed as
About an hour or so later, Zale arrived at Oracle's estate.Zale went straight to his room the second he entered the mansion.He freshened up and changed his clothes. When he was done, he headed downstairs and had his breakfast.“Where were you last night, sir?” Leia inquired as they strolled out of the dining room.As usual, they were the only ones in the dining hall. Ace was said to have gone out of the mansion early in the morning.Zale chuckled mischievously. “Why, you miss me?”“Cough!” Leia feigned a cough and changed the subject.“Anyway, how did last night go?” She asked, curious.“If you're talking about your performance, I must admit; you did….” Zale began, but Leia cut in."Not that, sir. Ace has already filled me in on that a million times," Leia interjected with a pout. "You know what I'm referring to.”Zale paused as if thinking about it. “Are you by any chance asking about what happened between me and my girlfriend?” His smile had taken a mischievous glint.Leia let out
Zale headed straight back to Oracle’s estate. He needed to have a serious conversation with Ace.He couldn't wait any longer. Asper had begun his move and he wouldn't just sit back and watch.“Now I have stopped to think about it, what later happened to Adams? I didn't see him again last night. I guess the security threw him out. After all, he had attacked me,” Zale muttered, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.‘Does this mean others now know about me?’ Zale mused excitedly.It was pretty easy to guess; Adams wouldn't keep what he saw last night to himself.Zale made it pretty clear last night that he was the one behind all of Jenkins's misfortune, so Adams would most certainly not keep quiet about it.“I’m glad things turned out this way. Although I doubt Adams' words would be enough to convince them.” Zale seemed pleased by the fact that he stumbled upon Adams last night.He didn't plan to suddenly show up claiming to be the new chairman of Adair Group. To him, that wouldn't be
The atmosphere in the room shifted, with Oracle grappling with the unexpected revelation. Zale, still chuckling, tried to ease the tension."Well, Grandpa, surprise! We kept it low-key for a while," Zale said, grinning. He wanted to gauge his grandfather’s reaction.Oracle sighed, shaking his head. "You always find a way to keep me on my toes. I hope you're serious about this, Zale."Zale's smile softened. "I am, Grandpa. Maya means a lot to me."Oracle studied Zale for a moment, then nodded. "As long as you're sincere and treat her well, that's what matters."Zale was a little taken aback when he heard that. He was confused, more like shocked.He had expected the old man to be greatly against the relationship but that didn't seem to be the case.“Seriously?” Zale couldn't help it. “Are you really not against our relationship?” He didn't expect such an outcome.“I mean, why?” Oracle pretended not to know anything.Zale gave the old man a dry look. “You're very bad at acting. You shoul
Before long, Zale was ready to leave. He intended to head directly to his family mansion to visit his grandfather.“I will get going now, darling. Take care. I will call you later in the day.” Zale gently planted a kiss on Maya's forehead before he departed.Maya arranged a car to drive him there, therefore as soon as he arrived outside, he entered the car and left the mansion.Maya’s head guard, despite having the urge to wave at Zale while he was departing, had decided against it.What if all of this was a ploy to make him let his guard down? He couldn't help but think.“I have to be completely sure he isn't going to harm my young Miss. Only after then will I be at ease around him,” the head guard muttered to himself.The journey was long and full of silence. Adams was occupied with his thoughts, and thankfully, the driver wasn't interested in striking up a conversation with him either, so none bothered to say a word to each other.“I don't think I will be able to enter the Adair ma
The room fell into a stunned silence upon hearing Elsher's speculation about Zale's possible connection to Adair Group. The family members exchanged bewildered glances, grappling with the implications of this unexpected twist. Azazel, breaking the silence, furrowed his brows and questioned, "Adair Group? What does that have to do with our troubles?"Elsher, maintaining her composure, explained, "Adair Group has substantial influence and connections. If Zale is indeed associated with them, it explains how he gained the resources and power to orchestrate our downfall.”"I discovered that Ace is aligned with the Adair family when I was researching the mysterious chairman of the Adair Group. Consider this – why would Zale have any association with someone like Ace if they weren't collaborating? It raises questions, especially regarding our acceptance of a contract from Adair Group. After mysteriously losing the contract funds, they still extended a substantial loan to us. Have you ever w